Eddy had joined the Merchant Marines and the ship"Coastal Adventurer" in San Francisco, several years earlier; and their usual run was south, from San Francisco to Valparaiso, Chlle, with several stops in between; and on the way north from Chile, the "Coastal Adventurer" sometimes would cross the Panama Canal into the Atlantic, docking at schedule ports on that coast- . Eddy was on a break, laying down on a hummock he had rigged on deck. His job with the Engine Maintenance kept him most of the time in the engine room, checking oil levels, grease, coolants, etc., so, he enjoyed immensely the breaks that allowed him to see, hear and feel his bests friend: The Sea. He really loved the sea; ever since he was a little boy in Nashville, Tn. and his uncle had giving him as a First Communion present, a collection of Books; all about the sea; some were fiction, others fact; Eddy devoured them all, reading them time and time again.- Whenever he went on a walk in one of the many ports they called on, he would ask somebody in the street how to find a book store; from which he would emerge with a couple of "sea" books under his arm.- Some time during his third year in the Merchant Marines, he lost contact with his small family. His parents had passed away, and only one uncle and a couple of cousins remained, and by now, he didn't have a clue where they might be. Eddy was totally alone on the planet; his work had taken him away from the few childhood friends he had.-

He had met a couple of nice looking girls here, another over there...but nobody that could make him think of settling down somewhere.

Financially . he was quite comfortable. He was making good money, naturally thrifty, and his work didn't give him the opportunity to expend much..- A well reputed Brokerage Firm handle his portfolio, and Eddy was satisfied with the returns.- Some times he would smile to himself and think: "Eddy, you got it made in the shade!"



On this trip, they were taking some containers with "oildraulic" elevators to Valparaiso to be tansported to Santiago and installed in some of Santiago's new buildings; but before that, several stops were schedule in Central America.- No Panama Canal crossing this time.- On the south bound leg, they were delivering several containers with auto parts in El Salvador, as well as can foods, agricultural machinery and generators. On the way back, they would dock there again to load several thousand tons of coffee, cotton, and enough shrimp to fill more than half of the refrigerated space provided in the "Coastal Adventurer". It was on the way back - while loading - that Eddy decided to spend sometime on land. He had about two days to roam around before going back on board to tend the engines.



Eddy was born in Tennessee, but his father had been an immigrant from Spain, and his mother from Colombia, so he was fluent in Spanish and had no language barrier south of the border. He walked along the beach for two or three blocks, until he found a rather rustic but cozy "chalet" right on the beach. Their sign called it "MARGOT'S" and advertised oysters, shrimp, lobster, etc. and COLD, COLD BEER. That did it! Eddy went in and found a table, ordering a dozen oysters and a cold beer. The waitress was a rather nice looking girl of about 23, wearing a neat white apron over a ble blouse and blue jeans; had a sweet voice and smiled a lot, showing a perfect set of teeth.- Thank you, said Eddy when the waitress brought him his order. Tell me, what is your name? Smiling coquettishly she answered "Margot". What is yours? Eddy, he said adding a bit of salt, a drop of Lea & Perrins and some lime juice to an oyster. Very nice to meet you, Margot.

Thank you. Likewise. Are you from the ship, she asked pointing with her chin.

Yes, replied Eddy; we come here almost on a regular basis. I am surprised I never saw you before...but it is my fault, Margot. Before, when I left the ship I walked the other way. There are some hotels that way, and if we are going to stay two or three days, I usually take a room, to break the monotony of sleeping in the ship. Margot...won't you sit a while with me so we can talk? She looked around and said, well...there are no customers yet, Will be glad to sit with you, Eddy. Great! but let me invite you to some oysters and beer. Thank you, Eddy...I believe I will; and she went to get a platter of oysters and he beer.

Tell me, Margot, what fun things are there here to do at night?

Well, it depends on what you like. There is a movie house, some lounges, but the best place is "El Club Maracas". Great live music, dance floor, a good restaurant and bar.

Margot,- asked Eddy - Would you do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight at "El Club Maracas"?

Margot looked into Eddy's eyes, and after two or three seconds of indecision said: Yes, Eddy. I will be glad to have dinner with you.

That's great! smiled Eddy. Eight O'clock, OK?

Perfect! They continued talking, having oysters and beer until a group of customers came in and found tables.- Margot had to go to work.- Eddy said, I'll see you later.

See you! - and Eddy returned to the ship to take a shower, change and get ready for his date, smiling all the time.

(Will continue...)